At 75, Nancy Wigmore was at least twice the age of four other demonstrators in the back of a Portland police transport van in August.

The independent great-grandmother and former social worker was cited and released after refusing to leave President Barack Obama's campaign headquarters in Southeast Portland. She was among Occupy Portland participants protesting the jailing of U.S. Army Pvt. Bradley Manning, suspected of leaking military documents.

Wigmore said she doesn't regret the experience, which included having her hands zip-tied, being crammed into a dim van and having her walker and sign, touting "Grateful Great-Grandmas," temporarily taken. She noted that two of her five children have served in the military.

Nor does she regret other involvements with the Occupy movement since its Portland branch began a year ago. She said she now considers many members part of her family.

"I'm well aware of my age and so are they," said Wigmore, often referred to as "Nan." "But age has nothing to do with standing up for injustices you feel need to change.

"As long as I have my walker, my sign and maintain good health, I'm good to go."

Wigmore is a member of Occupy Portland's Elder Caucus, a small subgroup that suggests nonviolent methods to spread the movement's message. Some caucus members say it has helped keep them active and provided a sense of purpose during retirement.

Jack DePue, 68, another caucus member, retired five years ago after teaching alternative education at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego. He said his wife encourages his involvement.

"When I was first looking to get involved with Occupy, I had the same picture in my head that everyone else probably does, that this is something just for kids," DePue said. "Sure, the driving force are people in their 20s and 30s, but everyone is embraced and has something to contribute."

DePue, who said he last protested the Persian Gulf War in the 1990s, was drawn to Occupy Portland after walking through its encampment at Lownsdale and Chapman squares last fall. Seeing participants of all ages inspired him, he said, but he wasn't sure how to get involved until he heard of the Elder Caucus early this year.

DePue helps coordinate the Friday caucus meetings and inform other older Occupy members about upcoming events.

During the meetings, caucus members discuss ideas or actions they believe the movement should take. DePue or others relay the ideas when all Occupy committees meet on Mondays, he said.

"We try not to lecture and proclaim that we know what's best since we are a little older," DePue said. "But we all have certain experiences in life that we feel could benefit the movement and we gladly share it."

Turnout for caucus meetings is usually modest, about a dozen, DePue said. He estimates about 60 people are on his email list. The caucus rarely marches as a group, he added.

"My knees and hips aren't as good as they used to be," he said. "And that's the case with some other people as well."

But Wigmore said she tries to attend all the marches, even if it means catching a bus or hitching a ride from a friend. She and five other Portland members took a bus to Chicago in May to an Occupy protest at a NATO summit. But police pulled her out of the crowd for her safety.

"They said, 'Ma'am, they're throwing rocks and we've got to get you out of here,'" she said. "But I didn't want special treatment. I just wanted to keep marching."

Wigmore said she eventually was transported to a hospital as a precaution. Her walker and other belongings were taken and she never saw them again.

When she returned to Portland, Occupy members raised about $300 to buy her a new walker, which she was using at the August protest.